Ghana has a vibrant civil society. Among the most politically influential interest groups are the Trade Union Congress (TUC), the Ghana Bar Association (GBA), the Christian Council of Ghana (CCG), the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS), the regional houses of chiefs and the National House of Chiefs. The Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) government sought to intimidate the leaderships of most of these organisations so as to engender a 'culture of silence', but the GBA, the CCG and NUGS played prominent roles in the pressure for a transition to democracy. A new Labour Law was passed by parliament in June 2003 and came into force on 31 March 2004. The Law criminalises strike action by those in sensitive public service areas, including doctors and nurses in the public service, the police and the fire service. A host of new civic organisations have also been established in recent years. Business associations had an uneasy relationship with the NDC government but have enjoyed greater influence under the NPP government.
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